Lang Lang Young Scholars Concert
On Thursday, June 13th, the Lang Lang Young Scholars presented their first in a series of concerts. The night was filled with magic and music.
"We believe that music has the power to make the world a better place and with the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, we strive to achieve this every day,'' declared CEO Leszek Barwinski-Brown, as he welcomed a capacity audience to their first Young Scholars Concert at Steinway Hall. Lang Lang himself chose the performers--- offering a note to the program, "My wife, Gina Alice, and I send our love and support . You’ll forgive us for not being there as were on our honeymoon in China.”
A disarming talented and stunning Aliya Alsafa, 14, played Ravel, Mozart, Liszt and Morton Gould. With remarkable command. Amir Siraj 19, now an alumnus of the program, played Mozart, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff. Currently he’s at Harvard, studying both piano and astrophysics (and a member of the Steinway Young Artist program).
Among the audience were board members David Hyrck, Kyle Wool, plus his wife Soo Yu. Also guests Teri Agins, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Joanna Fisher, Stephanie and John Foster, Barrett Frelinghuysen, Michèle Gerber Klein, Luchia Hwong Gordon, Sylvia Hemingway, Kate and Gary Parr, Sana Sabbagh, Klara and Larry Silverstein, Mengmeng Wang, and Victoria Wyman
Leszek Barwinski-Brown closed the concert saying, "Without your friendship, we could have never accomplished and of this" A Moët & Chandon reception followed.
Photos courtesy of Lang Lang Young Scholars
The Lang Lang International Music Foundation Gala
The Lang Lang International Music Foundation (LLIMF) raised more than 1.6 million dollars at their 10th Anniversary Gala Concert Dinner in New York City on Wednesday, October 10th, funding the organization's efforts to educate, inspire, and motivate the next generation of music lovers and performers.
The world-renowned pianist and creator of the foundation, Lang Lang, played led a special performance featuring the foundation’s Young Scholars.
"I really feel that this is a good beginning. I think the next ten years will be even easier to build up," said Lang Lang. "We believe that if music just disappears from children's fundamental studies, that would be the most tragic thing...We have to inspire kids to learn music.
The gala was hosted by Golden Globe-winning actor Alec Baldwin. Baldwin, along with auctioneer George McNeely, led the foundation's 'call for cash,' drawing a flurry of donations. The evening also included special performances by three-time Grammy Award winner Wyclef Jean, twelve-time Grammy Award nominee Ledisi, and internationally acclaimed tenor Roberto Alagna.The Foundation presented a special award to Joan and Irwin Jacobs, who were honored for their contributions to classical arts.
The event was opened with a speech by Gala Chair John Paulson, who spoke about how musicians add richness to everyone's lives.
And Sandy Weill, Chairman of the Board of Directors at LLIMF, presented a special award to Joan and Irwin Jacobs, who were honored for their contributions to classical arts. In ten years, LLIMF has successfully developed music education programs benefiting children across the world including Keys of Inspiration™, 101 Pianists™, Young Scholars™ and Play It Forward™.
Keys of Inspiration™ (KOI), one of the most influential programs of the foundation, weaves rigorous, keyboard-centric musical instruction into the mandatory curriculum of selected Title 1 public schools–integrating group piano classes for grades 2-5, twice a week.
KOI started in 2013 with only two schools and 300 students. As of September 2018, it has 40 schools enrolled in the program from across the country, reaching over 16,000 students.
“Utilizing a strategic expansion plan, KOI will reach 30,000 students in 80 schools by 2020”, says chief Executive Officer of LLIMF, Leszek Barwinski-Brown.
Photo - Krista Kennell /PMC